Brain Tumor Research Program Members

Members

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology applies statistics and computer science to the field of molecular biology. Advances in genetic mapping and other molecular research have produced a tremendous amount of data related to molecular biology. Bioinformatics uses computational and statistical techniques and theory to manage and analyze biological data.
Yiwen Chen, Ph.D.

Biostatistics provides statistical expertise so that the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data from laboratory experiments, clinical trials or other clinical studies yields accurate and valid information.
Ying Yuan, Ph.D.

Cancer Biology includes studies on the tumor microenvironment, what governs growth and suppression of growth, cell division and cell death, tumor invasion and metastasis, in order to target abnormal signals for therapy.
Ronald DePinho, M.D.
Jian Hu, Ph.D.
Alan Wang, Ph.D.

Cancer Systems Imaging focuses on imaging at the cellular and molecular level. This type of imaging is more sensitive and accurate in measuring the extent of disease, understanding the cell signaling that controls cancer growth, identifying molecular targets for anti-cancer therapy and monitoring these molecular and cellular therapies. These new imaging approaches may allow physicians to select individualized therapies.
Pratip Bhattacharya, Ph.D.

Diagnostic Radiology answers the challenge to "see" cancer inside a patient's skull or spine, crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are among the advanced techniques available to patients.
Salmaan Ahmed, M.D.
Linda Chi, M.D.
Melissa Chen, M.D. 
Rivka Colen, M.D.
J. Matthew Debnam, M.D.
Lawrence E. Ginsberg, M.D.
Nandita Guha-Thakurta, M.D.
Maria Gule-Monroe, M.D.
Jason Johnson, M.D.
Leena Ketonen, M.D., Ph.D.
Ashok J. Kumar, M.D.
Vinodh (Vince) Kumar, M.D.
Michael Kwon, M.D., Ph.D.
Dawid Schellingerhout, M.D.
Donald Schomer, M.D.
Komal Shah, M.D.
Thinh Vu, M.D.
Bing Wang, M.D.

Endocrine Neoplasia provides the research and specialized care required when cancer affects the endocrine system. The Pituitary Program team collaborates with other members of the Brain Tumor Center to investigate the causes and complications of pituitary disease and to offer the latest treatments available for this disorder.
Gilbert Cote, Ph.D.
Steven Waguespack, M.D.

Epidemiology identifies risk factors for disease by showing relationships with particular population characteristics, such as exposures to alcohol or smoking, biological agents or chemicals. Molecular epidemiology compares genetic and environmental risk factors, identified at the molecular level, to the causes and distribution of disease within families and across populations.

Experimental Therapeutics integrates molecular modeling and drug design with an understanding of cancer biology and signaling pathways, in order to identify molecular targets for therapy and chemically synthesize and test small molecule inhibitors of these targets. Faculty work to design new, more effective drugs that are less toxic because they are targeted specifically to abnormalities unique to cancer.
Waldemar Priebe, Ph.D.

Genetics focuses on the molecular genetic mechanisms that govern normal and abnormal cellular processes, including the basic mechanisms of cell survival, proliferation and death. Normally these biological processes contribute to stabile control in cellular development, but if hijacked by malignant processes, uncontrolled growth can result.
Sadhan Majumder, Ph.D.

Genomic Medicine studies the genomic changes that are seen in cancer and how they interact at the biological level to drive cancer growth. Complex cancer genomic data is analyzed to determine the most important differences seen in cancer cells and identify molecular targets that may predict the best choice of therapy for a given tumor.
Giulio Draetta, M.D., Ph.D.
Andrew Futreal, Ph.D.

Hematopathology provides diagnostic services and specialized testing for patients with all types of leukemia, lymphoma and benign hematologic disorders. The department also operates specialized laboratories for molecular diagnostics, flow cytometry, cytogenetic and FISH analysis and specialized bone marrow testing.
Guilin Tang, M.D., Ph.D.

Imaging Physics provides medical imaging physics services for all radiological imaging equipment, in addition to conducting research in most aspects of medical imaging and managing the Small Animal Imaging Facility used in laboratory research.
Ho-Ling Anthony Liu, Ph.D.
R. Jason Stafford, Ph.D.

Immunology studies natural biological systems that defend the body against disease, either by activating an innate immune response against cancer cells or by triggering an adaptive immune response. The innate response recognizes and responds to infection, but it does not confer long-lasting or protective immunity. Adaptive immunity creates a specific immunological memory after an initial exposure (like a vaccination) and leads to an enhanced response to later encounters with that pathogen.
Michael Curran, Ph.D.
Tomascz Zal, Ph.D.

Melanoma can spread to the brain and is one of the most common cancers to develop brain metastasis. 
Michael Davies, Ph.D.
Isabella Glitza, M.D., Ph.D.
Hussein Tawbi, M.D., Ph.D.

Molecular and Cellular Oncology focuses on molecular and cellular signaling pathways for tumor progression and metastasis.
Jun Yao, Ph.D.
Dihua Yu, M.D., Ph.D.

Neuroanesthesia provides anesthesia for brain, spine and skull base surgeries. Research efforts focus on the effects of anesthesia and patient outcomes during the perioperative period. 
Radha Arunkumar, M.D.
Shreyas Bhavsar, D.O.
Juan Cata, M.D.
David Ferson, M.D.

Neuro-Oncology provides state-of-the-art treatment for patients with cancers of the nervous system and expert care for neurologic complications from cancer or cancer therapies. 
Merry Chen, M.D.
Nazanin Majd, M.D., Ph.D.
Carlos Kamiya Matsuoka, M.D.
Monica Loghin, M.D.
Barbara O'Brien, M.D.
John Slopis, M.D., MPH.
Shiao-Pei Weathers, M.D.
Karin Woodman, M.D.
W.K. Alfred Yung, M.D.

Neurophysiology measures electrical functions of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves in the limbs and muscles, to help in the diagnosis of problems a patient might experience, or to help guide neurosurgeons during operations for brain or spine tumors.
Sudhakar Tummala, M.D.

Neuro-Oncology Research studies abnormalities of cancer cells, and tests new therapeutic agents and new approaches to gene therapy, targeting molecular hallmarks of cancer cells or the signaling pathways that control tumor growth. Drug combination strategies are being explored to overcome the tumor cell's ability to resist a single drug.
Juan Fueyo, M.D.
Candelaria Gomez-Manzano, M.D.
Hong (Helen) Jiang, Ph.D.
Dimpy Koul, Ph.D.
Yan Xia, Ph.D.

Neuropsychology can help to determine if a patient’s symptoms are caused by problems within the brain or by other medical disorders, by normal aging or other dementing conditions, by neurotoxic effects of cancer therapy or other causes. Neuropsychological assessments are useful for competency and disability evaluations, discharge planning, return to work or school issues. 
Mariana E. Bradshaw, Ph.D.
Kyle R. Noll, Ph.D.
Jennie L. Rexer, Ph.D.
Jeffrey S. Wefel, Ph.D.

Neurosurgery involves the treatment of tumors of the brain, spine, skull base and peripheral nerves. It may involve the use of microsurgery, computer assisted surgical guidance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or functional mapping during surgery, radiosurgery or chemotherapy delivered during surgery.
Franco DeMonte, M.D.
Sherise Ferguson, M.D. 
Frederick F. Lang, Jr., M.D.
Peter Kan, M.D. 
Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Ian E. McCutcheon, M.D.
Sujit Prabhu, M.D.
Shaan Raza, M.D.
Laurence D. Rhines, M.D.
David Sandberg, M.D.
Raymond Sawaya, M.D.
Claudio Tatsui, M.D.
Ashwin Viswanathan, M.D.
Jeffrey Weinberg, M.D.

Neurosurgery Research includes basic science research that aims to identify and determine optimal application of molecularly targeted therapies, and to develop and validate prognostic and predictive markers for personalized medicine in central nervous system tumors. The Neurosurgery database facilitates this research. 
Jun Wei, Ph.D.

Pathology identifies cancer cells in tissue or blood/fluid samples, using powerful microscopes and special techniques and stains, and can be used to identify molecular markers that may indicate how cancer cells will respond to various treatments.
Gregory N. Fuller, M.D., Ph.D.
Jason Huse, M.D., Ph.D.
Lisa Norberg

Pediatric Neuro-Oncology provides expert care for children with brain and spine tumors through MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.
Soumen Khatua, M.D.
Zsila Sadighi, M.D.
Wafik Zaky, M.D.

Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research includes basic science research that may impact patients of any age with tumors of the central nervous system.
Joya Chandra, Ph.D.
Vidya Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D.
Shulin Li, Ph.D.

Radiation Oncology uses ionizing radiation to kill or damage cancer cells. The radiation may be controlled in different ways, such as conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, or stereotactic radiosurgery, in order to spare normal tissue as much as possible, and it may be combined with chemotherapy to maximize the effect on tumor cells.
Caroline Chung, M.D.
Amol Ghia, M.D.
David Grosshans, M.D., Ph.D.
Jing Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Mary Frances McAleer, M.D., Ph.D.
Susan McGovern, M.D., Ph.D.
Arnold dela Cruz Paulino, M.D.
Kristina Woodhouse, M.D.
Debra Yeboa, M.D.

Stem Cell Transplantation applies transplantation therapies to provide personalized patient care.
Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D.
Elizabeth Shpall, M.D.

Translational Molecular Pathology focuses on the discovery of new molecular targets for cancer treatment, development and validation of biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of treatment response.
Prit Malgulwar